Here are the top ways to put a smile on your toddler's face for a photoshoot:

As a photographer specializing in newborns, children, and family portraits I have years of experience fine tuning techniques to inspire natural smiles for even the most challenging situations. 

Yes, there is no such thing as a “challenging child.” Rather, there are only demanding situations or moments that can be overcome. Whether it is an outdoor photoshoot or a formal family portrait, the challenges can be real – and we have all been there.

Here are my top suggestions for encouraging a natural smile on your child’s face without having to bribe them with Peppa Pig merchandise or a trip to FAO Schwarz:

1.      Simply put YOUR biggest smile on your face. Never underestimate the power of parents and how kids pick up on a good or silly mood.
2.      Enlist your partner, sibling, or grandparent to be goofy on the sidelines and watch your child react.
3.      Don’t force the moment. Just be relaxed with your family. This creates real interactions between family members. 
4.      Loosen up and consider your body language. Don’t get in your own way by trying to force poses, never mind smiles.
5.      Be patient. Try not to worry about time – if you can. Real moments (smiles) reveal themselves and are not manufactured.

Equally important to encouraging natural smiles and moments with your little ones and family is to avoid common tricks and gimmicks. These can be counterproductive.

What are the top mistakes we all make as parents when trying to get our child to smile for the camera?

1.      Bribing with the promise of screen time. (We have all been there.)
2.      Don’t hand over your iPhone as a pacifier. (Phones in photos distract.)   
3.      When you lose your cool and threaten it is game over.
4.      Constantly offering Gummy Bears, Goldfish Crackers, or M&Ms. (Bonus Tip: Blue M&Ms stain lips and teeth)
5.      Tickling with a feather (Your child is not a cat. The reaction is most often fear, not fun.)

Bottomline, if you are being natural and having fun in your photo session it will rub off on your kids and family and show in the pictures.

Of course, Alternate Angles is happy to show you how these techniques - and many more - work in real time (wink). Kids will be kids, trust the process. It’s taken me thousands of professional photoshoots with clients to be the “Baby Whisperer” that I’ve worked extremely hard to be.